What would you do if someone stole one of your prized Halloween pumpkins? Would you laugh it off as a childish prank? Would you chase the thief down the street for the $6 gourd? What would you do to someone who tried to stop you from stealing a pumpkin? How about kill the culprit? You think I jest, read on!

Dateline Gatineau, Canada: The man accused of killing a Gatineau resident over a stolen pumpkin has been released from custody.

Korey Perry, 19, was charged with manslaughter in connection with the death of Paul Hines. Hines, 57, was a retired National Defense employee who intervened when he saw two men stealing pumpkins from outside a Gatineau grocery store in September.

Obviously not caring if he impressed the court or not, Perry, whose head is shaved nearly bald, wore a grey T-shirt and knee-length blue jeans at his court appearance. His release was not opposed by the Crown attorney, but the court did impose several basic conditions on his release: to keep the peace, not associate with criminals and to avoid contact with several others involved in the case.

Perry had been charged with assault causing bodily harm, but the charge was upgraded to manslaughter after Hines died in the hospital. Perry was arrested about 30 minutes before Hines’ funeral.

Seriously, this kid either is very unlucky or a complete moron. Why should a respected, law-abiding citizen who was trying to do the right thing due to something as silly as a stolen gourd? Without knowing all of the details in the incident it is hard to pass judgment, but most certainly this 19-year-old needs more than a simple slap on the wrist.